My treatment room

Joanna Wragg

Member: London

This pandemic changed so many people’s perspective on work, health and freedom. There were times when life stood still – everything and nothing changed. During the many months of on-off isolation and periods of profound uncertainty, acupuncturists and other holistic therapists had to adapt their way of working. In the middle of this existential collective life-pause, the reasons behind why I wanted to start an acupuncture and holistic therapy clinic became much more vivid.

My journey into the complementary health sector started in 2015 as a massage therapist prior to acupuncture. Being a therapist mixes a desire to help others with so many skills aside from the therapy you love and trained in – social media, funding applications, finding somewhere to practise, writing reports, etc – the to-do list can sometimes feel endless. The additional financial and logistical pressures brought by coronavirus made me question how I could help others especially new practitioners, as they navigate the new challenges while building a business to be proud of, love and enjoy.

The ethos of caring not only for clients but also prioritising the health of the working practitioner was part of my initial business plan – so that we are able to best serve the mental and emotional ripples of the post Covid-19 world.

ACU.E8 is a clinic with a difference, based in Hackney within a small boutique shopping centre/event pop-up space called The Factory.

Simplicity is key at ACU.E8 – ease of booking and working as a practitioner, you receive your own set of keys to the self-contained clinic. Everything within the room – towels, linens and equipment – is yours to use. Or if you prefer to use your own towels – colour coding or to have a special theme or look to how you set out the space – there is also a laundry service. Towels are laundered at a small cost and brought back ready for the next time a practitioner is in the clinic.

There is also a clinic manager – me – on hand for help with the clinic, emergencies, business growth, etc.

ACU.E8 promotes ethical business values. We ask our resident therapists to offer a reduced rate treatment to the public who are struggling financially per week, if they feel able to. In return for a beautiful, spacious and affordable place to work, we ask practitioners to pass the giving ethos onto someone who might not otherwise be able to afford treatment.

We are a green footprint company. We believe if you care for people, this conscious awareness must spread to our environment. The products we buy and use at the clinic are recyclable, refillable or reusable.

ACU.E8 is about building a collective of small businesses that grow together and give optimally to themselves and the community of East London. Ours is a living, breathing environment and we pride ourselves that the clinic is welcoming, safe, inclusive and a diverse place to work.

We’re not just a booking system, we are a community of practitioners, we were founded with others in mind and are always exploring ways to expand, learn and grow. We encourage the sharing of skills and treatments and collaboration on promotional events. In the words of Maya Angelou: ‘As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.’

If we don’t first care for ourselves, our profession and our peers, how do we authentically share this love of acupuncture and other holistic therapies with the wider public?

www.acue8.com